Boss Paul Jewell believes the relationship between a manager and an owner is the most important at any football club. The Liverpudlian says working with Marcus Evans has been “terrific” and that the pair share a vision for Town.

Jewell hopes that given time he will be able to provide Evans with the Premier League football club he has been after since his takeover late in 2007: “Hopefully, long-term, I’ll be able to reward him with what everyone wants here.

"I’ve been here 10 months now and it seems like an awful lot has happened in that 10 months. He’s very supportive. We speak on the phone a couple of times a day if he’s available.

“It’s great, I think eventually that’s what makes something successful. The most important relationship in a football club is between the owner or the chairman and the manager.

“If that relationship is fragmented, then everything breaks up. Every manager talks about stability and continuity, but you do need a fair crack of the whip.”

The Blues boss says all managers need to be given time to succeed, no matter who they are: “Look at Andre Villas-Boas at Chelsea. He was the dog’s whatever in the summer, now people are questioning whether he’s too young or whatever.

“It’s takes time. It’s easy to change, it’s easy to make rash decisions but I don’t think Marcus Evans does that in anything he does. I’m very comfortable with the relationship that we have. But at the end of the day we are in a results-driven business.

“I wonder how many games Alex Ferguson was away from the sack. We’re all a certain amount of time away from the sack, it’s just that some of us have got five games, some of us have got 25 games.

“Working with Marcus has been terrific because I think he’s got a vision, like I have, a long-term vision of where the club wants to be in the future.”

Meanwhile, Jewell says he has no plans to change his captain with Grant Leadbitter continuing to wear the armband if selected.

The Blues boss believes too much is made of the role in any case: “The captaincy is overrated in football, it’s not like it is in cricket or rugby.

"Grant’s never going to be the loudest but you can never question his workrate, his endeavour or his professionalism.

“In other ways he’s a good leader, leading by example rather than being someone who shakes his fist and goes around shouting and bawling."

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

blueherts added 14:42 - Nov 25 Suffolkblue - I . like many others , I am sure believe we should stick by PJ - at least till Xmas - yes we had a good run but we have been woeful last few games. When he comes out and starts lauding Leadbitter there is a problem . He is not even worth a place on the bench , let alone captain - no inspiration , no vision , no cutting edge and no creativity - What qualities does he possess as a Captain - Zero - I want us to start winning and playing better football and unless he changes the shape it aint gonna happen - COYB and 3 points vs Reading

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tomisamos added 15:17 - Nov 25 If Leadbitter leads by example that explains the rest of the team... Having said that SuffolkBlue is right, some of the criticism is outrageous and over the top. Jewell definitely should have kept his thoughts about Leadbitter to himself though, he's one of the players who's really letting the side down with his lack of effort.
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strikalite added 16:03 - Nov 25 The Captain of the team isn't that important?? I have to disagree with that, bring back Matt Holland, he'll show you what a good captain is all about...even now he probably has more about him than Leadbitter..
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irishtim added 17:09 - Nov 25 leadbitter as captain is a disgrace. But our next captain has to be someone we build around. Wouldnt give it to any of the loanees until they commit themselves to the club. Just leaves creswell as only candidate at the moment imo but he is prob too young ???
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TractorRoyNo1 added 17:55 - Nov 25 huge improvement in that time, hey we are now 2pts clear of 4th from bottom.............. "I've been here 10 months now and it seems like an awful lot has happened in that 10 months.
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Dissboyitfc added 22:42 - Nov 25 irishtim, cresswell has been superb for us, but he is hardly a captain is he? leadbitter as our captain? questions my faith in jewell, it really does, worst captain in any a year, on so many fronts, not least of all he is not committed to the club. we need a motivator who leads and inspires, the bullard from last season would be great, where has he gone, anyone know? not very confident about the reading game i have to say...... COYB

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churchmans added 01:05 - Nov 26 i am never confident about any game we play in! not this season anyway and yes im gona have to say it. next season will be the season!
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StochesStotasBlewe added 13:48 - Nov 26 Bowyer for skipper please, not afraid to ruffle feathers, will not take crap from anyone. Maybe Leadbitter will then regain his form with the burden of captaincy removed. McCauley was awful when captain, superb when it was given to someone else. Food for thought!!!!!!!!
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